one.

[freewolfmoon]

[ voice ]

I yield.

[The voice coming out of the communicator is low, little more than a growl. It's also bitter, bleak, and tinged with sarcasm.]I cast this device and its magics into your cursed fountain, and before I have taken ten steps I feel its weight on my belt once more. I abandon it underground and find it waiting for me when I emerge

Comments

[ voice ]

[specifics]

The ticking goes away when someone else's around.

Your other option's a pet of some kind, as far as I know.

[ voice ]

[freewolfmoon]

Charming options both. Give up my solitude, or be drooled upon.

[ voice ]

[specifics]

[ Mildly, ]

Unless you prefer madness.

[ voice ]

[freewolfmoon]

[A sigh.]

I am not getting a cat. I will not compromise on this.

A dog could be of use.

[ voice ]

[specifics]

Dogs can be useful. Cats're more independent.

[ voice ]

[freewolfmoon]

...dogs can be independent too.

[ voice ]

[specifics]

Can be. But even an independent dog needs more attention than your ordinary cat.

[ voice ]

[freewolfmoon]

True enough. I don't wish to mistreat or neglect an animal.

[ voice ]

[specifics]

Why so against cats?

Allergic?

[ voice ]

[freewolfmoon]

Cats attract the worst sort of people.

[ voice ]

[specifics]

[ A cough that badly disguises a brief laugh. ]

So you'd take a person over a cat.

[ voice ]

[freewolfmoon]

It depends on the person.

[ voice ]

[specifics]

Guess it's up to you - how long you can stand the ticking - before you decide.

A cat's practical though.

[ Says the guy who brought home a dog but whatever... ]

[ voice ]

[freewolfmoon]

I've stood worse. Perhaps I should not have complained.

[ voice ]

[specifics]

Everyone does it. [ If shrugs were audible... ] But who knows. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones - get out before it matters.

[ voice ]

[freewolfmoon]

Out of where? This city makes no sense to me.